PDP tells INEC to declare Dariye‘s seat vacant

TVC E. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare vacant the senate seat of Joshua Dariye after his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, September 22. The party told INEC on Friday, September 23 that Dariye’s action was unconstitutional and should be dealt with appropriately.

Premium Times quotes the News Agency of Nigeria as saying that PDP made this call in a statement by the party’s Deputy Chairman in the Plateau state, Amos Gombi in Jos. ”In 2015, Sen. Dariye contested and was elected on the platform of the PDP as senator, representing Plateau Central Senatorial Zone. ”But, by leaving the party, he cannot under this circumstance, lawfully and legally retain his seat as representative of the people in accordance with section 68 sub-section 1 of the 199 Constitution as amended.

”We strongly condemn this act and demand that he should honourably resign and vacate his seat as senator representing Plateau Central, haven become a member of another party before the expiration his tenure. ”So, we categorically call on INEC to immediately declare his seat vacant and conduct fresh election to replace him,” the statement demanded. Meanwhile, factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ali Modu sheriff has maintained that only dialogue can resolve the current crisis rocking the erstwhile ruling party. Sheriff who spoke when he inaugurated a faction leadership of the party in Delta state said the problems in the party can only be resolved through dialogue as has been initiated between him and Senator Ahmed Makarfi.